Advocates and lawmakers packed into the North Carolina State Capitol on Wednesday, pressing for a Stop Super Speeders plan that would force the state's worst speeders to put electronic limits on their own gas pedals. The idea is to let people keep driving, but cut off the kind of high-octane recklessness that investigators say is behind many of the deadliest crashes.
As reported by ABC11, the proposal would require Intelligent Speed Assistance devices for drivers whose licenses were revoked for reckless driving or extreme speeding before they can regain full driving privileges. State crash data from the N.C. Department of Transportation shows 378 people were killed in speed-related crashes in 2024 and 7,897 were injured, and the agency reports that 62 percent of fatal speed-related crashes involved vehicles going more than 10 mph over the posted limit.
Amy Cohen, founder of Families for Safe Streets and a longtime advocate after the death of her son, told ABC11 that the measure "targets the worst of the worst drivers" and that people would still be able to get where they need to go if they drive more carefully. Her comments echo a national push by families and road-safety groups who argue that traditional penalties often do not change repeat offenders' behavior.
Supporters staged a technology demonstration and press event at the State Capitol during a Stop Super Speeders lobby day and met with legislators throughout the day. The local coalition and event listings describe a morning demonstration and midday press conference aimed at showing how ISA devices operate, according to NC Families for Safe Streets.
How the technology works and where it's been tried
Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) uses GPS, digital maps and, in some systems, camera recognition of posted signs to detect limits and prevent a vehicle from accelerating past them. "Active" ISA can physically reduce engine output to hold the car at the limit, which is less fun for lead-footed drivers but exactly the point for safety advocates. The National Conference of State Legislatures notes that Virginia, Washington and the District of Columbia have adopted ISA programs targeted at habitual or extreme speeders, and national advocates say several other states are now exploring similar proposals.
Concerns critics raise
Opponents and some policy analysts warn that mandating in-car limiters raises privacy and equity questions, and that device costs, tampering and cross-border enforcement all need clear answers. Reporting in Popular Science and other outlets flags practical issues such as override rules for emergencies, who pays for certification and how governments would safeguard any data the systems collect.
Where the proposal stands
Organizers say the Raleigh activity was meant to build momentum rather than mark the filing of a single, prewritten bill, and they are working to recruit sponsors for legislation this session. Families for Safe Streets lists North Carolina among states where it is helping develop Stop Super Speeders proposals and is urging lawmakers to consider narrowly targeted ISA programs.
Legal and practical questions
If judges or licensing authorities are given power to order ISA installations, legislatures will also need to set rules on device certification, duration of installation, tampering penalties and privacy protections. State examples and policy briefs show most proposals build in certification standards, limited override mechanisms and explicit limits on data collection, issues state lawmakers will have to resolve if they move forward.
Backers say ISA narrows the problem to a small group responsible for a disproportionate number of deadly crashes. Critics say the trade-offs around surveillance and cost are real. Lawmakers in Raleigh now face the political choice of whether to translate this lobby-day push into formal legislation in the weeks to come.
